Hibs expect to have injured quartet back for April

ANTHONY BROWN

Alan Stubbs hopes to have his injured quartet back in time to help Hibs deal with a gruelling April schedule.

Dylan McGeouch, Fraser Fyvie, Paul Hanlon and Dan Carmichael have all been sidelined lately. However, head coach Stubbs is encouraged by the progress of all four players and expects to have them back in contention in the next few weeks as the Easter Road side, who have a two-week break after this evening’s Championship trip to Raith Rovers, prepare to play nine games – eight in the league plus a Scottish Cup semi-final – next month.

McGeouch has been plagued by groin problems this season and his only involvement in Hibs’ last five games was a 26-minute outing in the Scottish Cup tie at home to Inverness a fortnight ago before he was forced off in pain.

“Dylan’s progressing really well,” Stubbs said. “His injury is settling down nicely. The specialist in London has been looking at his scans and we’re waiting to get an appointment to see what is the best way forward, whether it is a strengthening programme or an injection or whatever.

“We’ve got a two-week break coming up and we’re hoping for some positive news from the specialist.”

Fyvie has been out since suffering medial ligament damage away to Morton in early February. Although he is now in good fettle, Hibs may choose to leave him out of the trip to Kirkcaldy in order to make sure he is in the best condition possible for the trip to St Mirren in a fortnight.

“Fraser’s doing great,” said Stubbs. “He’s getting closer and closer every day. It might be that we wait and make sure he’s 100 per cent right for when we come back after the break.”

Hanlon, who has missed the past four games after suffering a thigh injury in the defeat at Dumbarton three weeks ago, could be back in contention for the trip to Paisley.

“Paul’s progressing really well,” Stubbs said. “He’s stepped up his programme this week in terms of running. He’s doing a bit more every day and he’s feeling good, so, fingers crossed, I don’t think he’ll be far away from coming back when we return after the break.”

Carmichael, like McGeouch, has endured groin problems all season. The midfielder also hasn’t featured since the Dumbarton game and is waiting to see a specialist to find out when he can return to action.

“It seems to be settling down well but we’re just waiting to get a second opinion on him because it’s been rumbling on for so long,” said Stubbs. “It’s difficult to put a time frame on him. We could go to see the specialist and they could say he’ll be fine in a week or they could tell us it’s going to take longer. We won’t know until we have that meeting.”